Crowned cranes are one of the avian highlights of any safari to East Africa. This particular crane allowed a close enough approach for some nice head shots. I kind of liked this three quarters from behind angle highlighting the namesake crown. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.
I caught this female pronghorn at the salad bar. She seemed to really enjoy the variety of options at her disposal in this particular little corner of Yellowstone National Park. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 260mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.
These two male zebras were going at each other during rutting season, trying to prove dominance for mating rights. Photographed at Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.
Wombats eat grass. It’s what they do. This wombat was so focused on the task that he/she hardly noticed that I was there. Perfect situation for my wide angle zoom. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/320th of a second.
On safari, not many people bother with the francolins that always seem to be scurrying out of the way as we drive toward a lion, leopard or some other big ticket item. I like to capture everything, and made sure I got out of the vehicle and down on the ground for a better perspective of this red-billed francolin. Photographed in the Linyanti Concession of northern Botswana. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1000th of a second.
This little lion cub was alone with his mother and very curious as to the strange looking beings in the safari vehicle. But not too curious. After a few playful approaches, the cub grew tired and returned to his mother who was resting in the bushes. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.
When an eastern newt is in its juvenile phase, it turns a bright orangish red, puts on a nice spotted coat, and spends its time on land. As it grows into the newt it will eventually become, it moves to a more permanent water source in the form of a river, pond or lake. It’s when it’s in this red phase that it is commonly called a red eft. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 120mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/20th of a second.
Just a juvenile koala to get the week going. Photographed at Hansen Bay on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 155mm) ISO 200, f/2.8 at 1/80th of a second.
The desert can be a beautiful place when in full bloom (or anytime for that matter). But blooms can be quick and unpredictable, and certain cactus may not bloom at all for years before opening up. I was lucky on this occasion in Joshua Tree in California and hit it just right. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/18 at 1/3rd of a second.
Africa is full of different species of antelope. To the Ugandan’s, however, the kob is special among them. It’s the national animal and appears on the coat of arms. This image of a winking male kob was one of my first award winners about ten years ago. Searching my site tonight, I realized that I never posted it to the photo of the day, so here it is. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.